Thanks to my new course “A Brief History of Feminist Movements in Pakistan” I managed to discover a different side of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah: unapologetically opinionated! I will be sharing a few quotes in this thread because I want to share the joy.

FJ on Iskander Mirza: “I know him personally. He has no principles. He is a time server and a sycophant.”

On Ch. Muhammad Ali: “He gets into the habit of flattery and keeping his superiors pleased. If such a man attains high office, that is what he expects from others.”

On civil servants: “Our civil servants do not realise their responsibilities either. Officers from West Pakistan who go there (East Pakistan) on posting behave like rulers, just like the British who consideted India a colony of theirs...” wondering where else this happens

On Jamaat-i-Islami: “The JI and other religious parties mislead people and exploit Islam. The cheat people in the name of Islam, which is bad; but what is worse that the JI was dead set against the idea of Pakistan.”

On clerical reformis parties: “Some people want to colour

Pakistan with Mullahism by hook or by crook.”

On the Shah of Iran during his visit to Pak in 1956: “(He) is a cruel and autocratic ruler who keeps himself distant from his people...He is an American stooge.”
She also refused to attend a reception in his honor.

On Pak’s relationship with the US: “Pakistan has sold itself to America in return for very little.” She also pointed out that Americans don’t even let Pakistanis park their cars in front of the US embassy in Karachi.

In response to a letter by Ayub Khan nudging her towards self-censorship: “(I) am astonished at your mentioning that at times my messages contain any cynicism or that they are not based on realities. Through these statements I have been trying to bring home to the people

Of Pakistan the ideals for which Q.A. lived and died. Therefore, would you please let me know what particular statements or portions of them you refer to?”

On “Begums” : “I find them almost detestable.”

On Wordsworth (you read that right): “May I suggest that you read less of Wordsworth, because such things have little link with real life.”

On the arts: “The arts nourish the soul...they are essential for a healthy society.”

There are many more such examples but I think these should do for now!